Method for disinfecting liquids and gases and devices for use thereof

ABSTRACT

A method for disinfecting liquids and gases includes the steps of distributing at least one optical fiber in the region containing the liquids or gases to be disinfected; aligning at least one radiation unit having a high intensity source of light into said fibers; radiating the liquid or gases by the optical fiber over a predetermined period of time. The present invention further related to devices using the same method.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel method for disinfecting liquidsand gases and to devices using this method. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a methods for disinfecting liquids andgasses by light which is radiated into the liquids and gasses by opticalfibers. The light may be ultra violet light (UVA, UVB, UVC) which isespecially useful for killing bacteria or microscopic noxiousmicroorganism (such as those passing through filtration units). Thelight may be also in the visible region of the spectrum, which isespecially useful for disturbing the breeding cycle of cockroaches (suchas those living in sewage networks or other close spaces).Alternatively, the light may be in any other spectral range suitable forkilling noxious microorganisms.

(Example: Optical fibers terminated into a modular crystal interface,such as a KTP and/or an LBO, and/or PPKTP and/or other appropriatelyphase matched or coupled crystals for harmonic generation or frequencydoubling for the purpose of disinfecting liquids and gasses) the lightis primarily in the IR, NIR, or VISIBLE regions of the spectrum while indelivery and converted to Ultra violet or 2nd, or 3rd, or 4th harmonicgeneration (UVA, UVB, and UVC).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radiation is known to effect many species population factors in natural,industrial, and domestic ecological systems. The term “radiation” in thecontext of the present invention includes all the spectral rangesincluding the visible spectrum i.e. illumination. Radiation of onefrequency may effect an increase in the population of one species whilesimultaneously causing the inactivation or elimination of other species(disinfecting).

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “disinfecting”relates to reducing the population of any noxious species. (e.g.selective inactivation and/or destruction of disease-causing organisms).The noxious (unwanted) species may be microscopic (e.g. bacteria,viruses, amoebic cysts, protozoan cysts) or macroscopic (e.g.cockroaches, termites, mosquitoes or bats).

For example, it is known that exposure (irradiating) to ultra violetlight (at sufficient flux density and appropriate wave length) will killbacteria and inactivate many organisms or life forms by inactivation ordestruction (disinfecting) of essential deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),and/or ribonucleic acid (RNA) replication sequence/s. Exact details ofsuch groups of noxious species can be easily found in publicationsreleased up to date (on the subject of waste water disinfecting) by theWater Environment Federations Research Foundation (WEFRF) and theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA). An example for such microscopiclife forms may include spore-forming or non-spore-forming or viruses orbacteriophage or cysts. Some examples are as follows:

Non-spore-forming

Escherichia coli

Enterobacter cloacae

Direct Total Microbial Count groups

Fecal Coliform group

Aeromonas hydrophilae/suberia

Citrobacter freundii

Campylobacter jejuni

Thermotolerant coliform (groups)

Fecal streptococcus group

Heterotrophic (plate Count group)

Klebisiella pneumoniae

Legionella dumofii

Legionella pneumophila

Mycobacterium avium

Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus faecalis

Salmonella typhi

Fecal streptococci/enterococci

Salmonella spp. group

Mycobacterium chelonae

Mycobacterium fortutuitum

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Shigella sonnei

Total Coliform group

Yersinia enterocolitica

Spore-forming

Bacillus subtilis

clostridia group

Viruses/bacteriophage

Coxsackievirus B-1 to B-5

Coxsackievirus A-9

Echoviruss 1

Echoviruss 11

H-1 parvoviruss

Hepatitis A virus

Human retrovirus type II

Simian rotavirus

B 40-8 bacteriophage/bacteriodes fragilis

F-specific bacteriophage

Somatic coliphage group

V1 bacteriophage

Polio-1

Polio-2

Polio-3

Reoviruss-1

Reoviruss-3

Cysts

Cercosporidium parvum oocysts

Entamoeba histolytica

Acanthamoeba culbertsoni

Giardia lamblia

Giadia muris

Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria gruberi

Macroscopic Species

Cockroaches

Termites

Mosquitoes

Bats

Known methods and means for disinfecting liquids or gasses using lampsor laser light sources are limited in their optical distributionefficiency, as well as in their respective design geometry—due tolimitations imposed by their respective optical distributionarchitectures. The known methods and means are not using any opticalfibers and crystals, or reflective end—cup interfaces, or semiholographic, partially dielectric rings. Therefore, the known methodsare ineffective in delivering simultaneously optical energy to aplurality of points arranged distantly. These limitations imposerestriction on the geometry of the known devices so that adequatesplitting, distributing, delivery and projection means are not availablefor these devices. These limitations also prohibit the previous methodsfrom creating, or taking advantage of optical distribution networks fordisinfecting liquids or gasses by using at least one central or remotelight source. The present invention overcomes these limitations,firstly, by using optical fibers for delivery and distribution and/ordiffusing of laser radiation. Furthermore, the present inventiondelivers optical energy via optical fibers in a primary wavelength forsubstantial distances before being converted at the end-cup crystalinterface. By delivering radiation of the primary wavelength andconverting it at the end of the fibers, the present invention providethe following important advantages.

Reducing the damage threshold at the point of entering the fibers byusing longer wavelengths e.g. such as a 1064nm wavelength in the IRSpectrum. Such wave lengths are known to be especially suitable forlarge distance transmission applications in IT and telecommunicationoptical distribution networks.

Enhancing the delivery capability of optical fibers, eliminating theneed to use expensive UV capable fibers such as HGFS (e.g. High GradeFused Silica) which have only limited UV transmission capabilities.

Making it possible to split the output of a single light source acrosstens, or hundreds, or thousands of points simultaneously (e.g. in remotelocations, or remotely positioned projection, and/or diffusion points)substantially widening design ranges for disinfecting reactors accordingto the present invention.

The present invention could be used in a wide range of disinfectingapplication including advanced integrated networks wherein thedisinfecting processes occurs at a plurality of points of use, (e.g.such as taps) or at a central reactor (e.g. a conduit or a chamber) ofend user points of use. Furthermore, the ability of the method of thepresent invention to split the laser beam and deliver to a plurality ofsubstantially distanced points, facilitates transmission of wavelengths(e.g. sufficiently short wavelengths) and frequencies of light adequatefor production of Ozone (e.g. O₃) wherein both designers and end userscould benefit from safer geometry with the ability to create a combinedmulti-processing network platform for disinfecting liquids and gasses.

Known methods and means for disinfecting liquids or gasses using lasersand lamps will be described in order to emphasize and point out thenovelty and inventive progress of the present invention.

References to previous patents, methods and means are included tohighlight the inventive steps and evolutionary progress of the presentinvention.

The present invention is embedded in a novel methodology wherein, unlikeprevious methods and means, the present invention uses an interactivemodular network of optical infrastructure for disinfecting liquids andgasses. Furthermore, the present invention facilitates interconnectivityand interoperability between producers and end users by utilizing theprinciple of single and/or bi-direction light transmission, harmonicconversion and/or frequency doubling. The ability of the presentinvention to split and guide light across a local, and/or large areanetwork, is limited only by the efficiencies and/or tolerances such asdamage threshold of the materials to be used (e.g. such as coupling andtransmission of the laser energy within the damage threshold of thefibers, the crystals, and light sources).

The present invention provides a methodology for delivering light athigh intensity across such a disinfecting network, wherein the light isof a particular wavelength (e.g. primary wavelength), and converting(e.g. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, harmonic generation) and/or altering the light atan user end, and/or a point of use into an adequate wavelength therebymaximizing delivery capability of a predetermined dose for effectivegermicidal effect. The invention utilizes a transfer principle by totalinternal reflection of optical fibers inter-mated with crystals for thepurpose of carrying light for real time networking between a pluralityof domestic, municipal, regional and international environmentalprotection facilities such as a plurality of disinfection reactors. Thefacilities comprise water treatment plants, systems positioned, and/ormoved across geographically separated locations and/or mobile unitspositioned on tracks, vehicles, flights, ships, or oceanographic orspace stations. The invention allows light which is harmonicallydelivered, and/or distributed, and/or frequency doubled and or diffused,and or projected via optical fibers to be distributed among a pluralityof remote destinations for disinfecting liquids or gasses.

The use of lasers as sources for UV radiation for disinfecting processesis known in the art. For example, the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,661,264,4,816,145, 4,265,747 and 5,364,645 disclose disinfecting processes basedon irradiation by a UV laser. However, all these patents disclosemethods in which the light source itself, i.e., the laser, is attached,or in proximity, or integral to a conduit or chamber wherein the lightsource is integral to the conduit or chamber, and/or is directlypositioned in or against the flow direction. Such devices, according toknown methods and means require a complete unit each including a lightsource, its associated power supply unit, lenses, reflective mirrors orother optical surfaces for laser deflection, making networks ofreactors, or remote disinfecting processes economically infeasible (e.g.to disinfect three separated locations in a particular building one musthave three light sources etc.).

In contrast, the present invention could be used for a wide range ofdisinfecting applications in municipal, industrial, domestic, water andair recycling, in industrial cooling towers using liquids or gasses, orat paper, or computer chip manufacturing sites, in medical domains formedical applications requiring selective medical preparations involvingliquids or gasses (e.g. blood, plasma, body fluids), in medical orsurgical transplants for disinfecting air for hospitals, inair-conditioning systems, in the refrigerator industries, in the food &drink industries, in the semi-conductor, or other precision industriesrequiring clean rooms to meet predetermined standards, in biotechnologyreactors having industrial photosynthesis capabilities, inphotosynthesis algae reactors lit, or powered, by solar radiation (sunlight which reaches the earth surface after being collimated by theearth atmosphere), in drinking water applications requiring interactiveoptical fiber and crystal infrastructures or networks for disinfecting aplurality of rooms in a predetermined building. The invention makes itavailable for the first time a disinfecting optical—network of reactorsdriven by a single light source (such as a solid state laser), whichcould be used in agriculture or in drilling wells for water orpetroleum, or gas, or combinations thereof, in drilling applicationsunder the surface of the sea bed or in underground wells where there isa need to prevent clogging of filters for liquids or gasses. Theinvention can also be used in many types of mobile units forintervention task forces operating in disaster areas where damages toinfrastructure might have been caused by floods, hurricanes, storms,vulcan activities or earth quakes, or in places where the ground waterhas been contaminated, or in places where medical aid is not adequate,or available and so the local or regional population must be equipped todeal with the spread of diseases caused by liquids or gassescontaminated by noxious bacteria.

The present invention delivers radiation, using optical fibers andcrystal interfaces, liquids or gasses in a plurality of distancedlocations from a centrally and/or remotely positioned radiation unit,taking advantage of an interactive optical distribution network fordisinfecting the liquids or gasses as well as enabling a widened rangeof designs for semi-holographic disinfecting reactors (e.g. in or arounda predetermined conduits or chambers).

The present invention provides the ability to split the output of asingle laser beam (or light source output) into tens, hundreds, orthousands of separated, individually positioned (e.g. fibers distributedwithin conduits or chambers or around a predetermined space or distance)fibers and/or fiber bundles (terminated with crystals) thereby providingproducers and end users in the field with unparalleled flexibility indesigning reactors irrespective of the limitations imposed by knownmethods and means.

The present invention, by utilizing fibers or fiber bundles, is able toprovide a plurality of points on a network (locally, or remotelyspreading to cover small or large areas) with adequate flux densitysimultaneously. The invention is therefore geometrically enchanced, moreefficient, and/or more economical, thereby requiring less maintenance,and allowing for the transfer and/or performance, and/or delivery ofimportant data acquisition commands across the optical platform in avariety of protocols to and/from a plurality of operating reactors on apredetermined network. More particularly, the invention uses opticalfibers for carrying primary and/or secondary disinfecting wavelengths aswell as the optical data from sensing peripherals making use of the samefibers and/or bundles to carry the signals back and forth from aremotely positioned control units, in real time. This provides forbeneficial advantages in using a single centrally located light sourcefor disinfecting a plurality of different locations simultaneously. Thepresent invention also presents an important level of safety byproviding 100% electrical safety given the distance between the lightsource (centrally, and/or remotely located) and the emitting ends,and/or sides of the fibers, before or after the fibers have beenterminated with an appropriate crystal (for performing 2nd, and/or 3rd,and/or 4th harmonics on the primary wavelength originated from thecentral light source).

The present invention provides a novel methodology for creating aninteractive disinfecting network using a single radiation unit tosimultaneously deliver light via optical fibers to a plurality ofpredetermined points (e.g. remotely positioned, and/or separatedlocations, and/or rooms, and/or channels, and/or taps, and/or aplurality of remotely positioned conduits or chambers).

The ability of the present invention to deliver, through at least onefiber, or fiber bundle (e.g. through a fiber network), a primarywavelength in the IR region and convert the wavelength, at the other endof the fiber by a crystal interface, to a shorter wavelength (e.g. inthe UV spectrum) provides for a novel methodology wherein high powercould be coupled into the fiber at a long wavelength (such as 1064 nm).Compared to UV wavelengths which are substantially shorter, the longwavelength allows materials which have a lower fiber threshold (e.g.damage thresholds of the fibers) to be used.

Known methods and means using lasers for disinfecting liquids and/orgasses, are limited in their efficiency and ability to provideeconomically sound, environmentally harmonious, geometrically efficientdisinfecting reactors. Known methods and means fail to address therising needs of today's increasingly stringent standards. Known methodsand means using lasers are cumbersome, requiring the laser to emit lightin the UV regions of the spectrum. Such lasers are expensive, requireintroductions of gasses (e.g. in gas lasers, or eximer lasers), oftenrequire substantial amounts of periodical maintenance and/orreplacements. Known methods and means for using lasers for disinfectingliquids or gasses are geometrically limited, requiring the laser orradiation unit to be positioned in proximity to a conduit or chamberwhere the liquids or gasses are to be disinfected. Known methods andmeans require a large number of individual laser (or light source) unitsfor simultaneously disinfecting liquids or gasses in a plurality ofremote locations.

Known Ultra Violet disinfecting methods and the means which are usedtoday for disinfecting water (see e.g. Water Environment ResearchFoundation WERF's “Disinfection Models, Principle Components in UVDisinfecting System Design”, 1997) mostly use a large number ofindividual UV lamps (such as mercury arc lamps) which are arranged intobanks of lamps, and inserted into the water. Such methods createcumbersome and often large dimension reactors which requires higherlevels of periodical maintenance, and/or a large space for installation.These lamp-based disinfecting reactors have large dimension and weightand are often limited in their mobility, and are not available for largethroughput applications as mobile units. These lamps are at present theprinciple means for generating CW (Continuous Wave) UV energy used forliquid/gas disinfecting. Furthermore, the lamps are polychromatic lampswhere up to 85% of the light output is monochromatic at a wave length ofabout 254 nm which is “considered” to be within the optimum range ofabout 250 nm to about 280 nm for germicidal effects to take place (e.g.selective inactivation of essential DNA and RNA replication sequences).The known methods and means are expensive requiring a large amount oflamps in a single system. The lamps require periodical cleaning (fromcolloidal deposits or hard water deposits) using expensive chemicals(e.g. soap or acidic compounds) causing long system down time and highcost maintenance. The lamps which are rigid (inflexible) and immersed inwater channels in a large number to form a banks of lamps and are oftencausing head loss (e.g. places within a conventional UV disinfectingsystem geometry where water are passing above or below a bank of lampswithout being disinfected) and reduction in the efficiency of the knownsystems, forcing designers to reduce the flow rate through a particularchannel and split it over a number of channels. The known methods andmeans currently used to disinfect water (or air) (e.g. liquids and/orgasses) often require complex and costly mechanical and hydraulic meansto lift the lamps in and out of the water, to operate and/or activatebrushes on the lamps protecting sleeves (normally made of quartz)periodically, or continuously (for cleaning colloidal deposits and/orhard water deposits), further increasing maintenance cost and energyconsumption of the known UV disinfection reactors (systems).Furthermore, systems based on UV lamp technology often require quartzsleeves or other specially formulated transparent protecting tubes orenvelopes for protecting the lamps in the water (liquids or gasses).These sleeves often crack from hot spots, generated by the polychromaticcharacteristic of these lamps (mercury based lamps, usually havesufficient IR radiation in their output to cause heating, which is notuniform due to uneven coverage of colloidal deposits, and or hard waterdeposits on the surface of the sleeve/s) endangering producers or endusers as well as the environment.

It is known that by illuminating a transparent or opaque surface withultra violet light energy (at the appropriate wave length and sufficientflux density), the UV radiation will penetrate through the surface andaccording to the nature of that material, the ultra violet light energywould be absorbed into the underlying material. An example of such aprocess may be: inactivating of DNA and RNA replication sequence/s, by aCW (Continuous Wave) light from a UV microwave excitation lamp, ofmicroorganisms until the flux density of the penetrating light isdiminished or absorbed by the microorganisms themselves causingphotochemical damages to RNA or DNA within the cells due to the factthat nucleic acids are most important receptive absorbers of lightenergy. Due to the presence of suspended materials, or organic or nonorganic surrounding compounds or materials, the level of absorbentenergy may be reduced to below the threshold required for effectingdisinfection.

The efficiency of devices which disinfect by using ultra violet light isnormally restricted by the depth of penetration (UVT or the UVtransmission through that material) of the ultra violet light into thematerial to be disinfected. This factor limits the flow through crosssection of the conduit through which the material being disinfected mustpass. This factor also prevents ultra violet light from being used todisinfect opaque substances, or limits the capability of distributing UVlight to remote locations in industrial or domestic environments overlarge distances.

The method of the present invention and device according to it eliminatethese efficiency limitations. The method of the present inventionfacilitates the use of a central radiation unit, having a high intensitysource of light wherein the light from said radiation unit isdistributed, and/or delivered, and/or diffused at points of use (such asend user taps). Unlike the known methods which bring the liquids orgasses to the light (e.g. liquids or gasses are made to pass through thelight), the present invention brings the light to the liquids or gassesto be disinfected. Furthermore, the present invention facilitatesformation of a novel interactive network of optical fibers and/orcrystals for delivering optical energy (of a centrally positioned laser)having a primary wavelength in the NIR, or IR region from about 800 nmto about 2400 nm to remote locations. The primary wavelength isconverted using crystals (e.g. such as KTP, or PPKTP types) whichgenerates 2nd, or 3rd, or 4th, harmonics based on the primary wavelength(e.g. 1064 nm).

Therefore, the device of the present invention may be used fordisinfecting air, water, (e.g. for drinking, washing, or irrigationapplications), drinkable liquids (e.g. juice, milk or vinegar),filterable foods (e.g. baby food, ketchup, or jam), medicalpreparations, surgical transplants, cosmetics, sewage, waste water, seawater etc.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention is especially adaptablefor installation into filtration units such as those which are used forfiltering out particulate or suspended materials (suspended solids) fromany of the above mentioned substances. This special advantage resultsfrom the fact that the device of the present invention distributes the(e.g. ultra violet) light through side emitting optical fibers; whereinthe fibers are easily integrated into porous screens or surface disks ormembranes or magnetic elements used for filtering.

Another example of lighting disinfection is to illuminate a volume withvisible light, in order to disturb the breeding cycle of cockroaches.This type of disinfecting is especially well applicable to sewers, foodstorage areas, and hollow sections of building members (e.g. in atticspaces, or in conduits for wiring or plumbing).

In principle, each noxious species is disturbed or destroyed by somefrequency (at appropriate wave length and flux density) of light.

Thus, since optical fibers (of e.g. end glowing and/or side emittingtypes) exist for transfer and/or delivery, and/or diffusions of at leastone or more wavelengths and frequencies of light from about 180 nm toabout 2400 nm, the benefits of disturbing, or destroying, orneutralizing noxious species (in confined and predetermined spaces) maybe achieved using the devices according to the present invention. Thisis an environmental benefit, since all other known methods requireintroduction of toxic substances such as chlorine or chlorine compounds(e.g. hypochlorous acid or HOCl, hypochlorite ion OCl— ormonochloramine, insecticides, pesticides, etc.) which over certainperiods of time produce accumulated 1st and 2nd generation compoundingvolumes which are endangering the man kind and its environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for remote disinfectingliquids and gasses comprising; distributing at least one optical fiberin the region containing the liquids or gasses to be disinfected;aligning at least one radiation unit having a high intensity source oflight into the fibers and radiating said liquid or gasses by the opticalfiber over a predetermined period of time, wherein the radiation unit isa laser and wherein the primary radiation frequency of the laser isconverted to another secondary frequency, before or at the disinfectingsite, such that the secondary radiation emitted from the optical fibershas a different frequency from the primary laser frequency. The presentinvention also relates to a device for disinfecting liquids or gases.

The device of the present invention is comprised of: A device fordisinfecting liquids and gasses by the method as defined in claim 1,comprising a conduit or a chamber containing the liquids or gasses to bedisinfected, at least one optical fiber distributed within or around orintegrated into the walls or the body or the vicinity of the conduit orchamber, and a laser having high intensity source of light aligned intothe fibers wherein at least one crystal interface is attached orintegrated to at least one optical fiber or bundle of fibers endtermination for harmonically converting the wavelength of the incomingprimary pulse to a lower wavelength of outgoing pulse.

The device of the present invention is especially useful in filtrationunits where it can be used as part of a modular (open architectureconfiguration of parallel or serially interconnecting filters) or as astand alone module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic layout of fibers in a conduit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic layout of a semi holographic diffusiveelement in a conduit.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic layout of a combination of looped and endglowing fibers in a chamber.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic layout of a multi tail optical cableassembly with a control and monitoring system.

FIG. 5 illustrates a disinfecting brush (e.g. a toothbrush).

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of variously oriented fibers in aconduit.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a semi holographic, partiallydielectric, harmonic ring with multiple delivery architecture.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a swiveling frame with aselection of fibers and crystals for harmonic generation of opticalradiation.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of a semi holographic ring featuringvariable transparency conduit.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic layout of a municipal and domesticharmonic disinfecting network.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of a petroleum or fresh water welldisinfecting system.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a harmonic thermally isolatedand stabilized semi holographic diffusive ring.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic view of a semi holographic, partiallydielectric ring with crystal arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention also relates to a device for disinfecting liquidsor gases, comprising at least one side emitting optical fiber locatedwithin a conduit or a chamber, and a radiation unit having a highintensity source of light. The light is lead into the fibers. The fibersare distributed within the conduit or chamber for illuminating apredetermined volume of liquid or gas within the conduit or chamber.

For the purposes of the present invention, a “side emitting opticalfiber” is any optical fiber which will transmit light of a desiredfrequency from one end to the other (using the internal reflectionprinciple), and simultaneously allow some portion of the transmittedlight to escape from the fiber during the transmission along the fiberlength. Light may escape along the entire length of the fiber, or may berestricted to escape at a plurality of (“exposed”) locations along thefiber (examples of such fibers may include high grade fused silica,silica, plastic optical fibers (POFs), polymer matrixes, anaerobic nontoxic liquid light guides).

In the context of the present invention “a porous screen” relates to anypassive or active element in a filtration system whose function is toprevent particulates of above or below a predetermined size from passingthrough. Today, filtration screens come in many topologicalconfigurations including flat panels, stratified aggregate beds, thin orthick surface disks, perforated cylinders, magnetic elements. Asettlement tank, even though it may be used for removal of particulates,is considered a conduit or chamber and not a filtration unit (for thepurpose of the present invention). In the context of the presentinvention, a plurality of end emitting (optical) fibers may besubstituted for a side emitting (optical) fiber when the aggregatesurface area of the ends of the end emitting fibers is approximatelyequal to the operational (exposed) surface area of the side emittingfiber; or when the flux density at the appropriate wave length of thedelivered light can be otherwise equalized and simultaneously broadlydistributed spatially.

In the context of the present invention ultra violet radiation isoptical radiation of wavelengths shorter than those for visibleradiation, <400 nm (UVA 320 nm-400 nm, UVB 280 nm-320 nm, UVC<280 nm).

In the context of the present invention visible radiation (illumination)is any optical radiation capable of causing a visual sensation directly,400 nm->700 nm.

In the context of the present invention uniformity is a measure of howthe irradiance varies over a selected or predetermined area (e.g. tranceuniform flux density).

In the context of the present invention sun light terrestrial spectra isthe spectrum of the solar radiation at the earth's surface, whereindirect solar radiation is the part of extra terrestrial solar radiationwhich, as a collimated beam/s, reaches the earth's surface afterselective attenuation by the atmosphere.

The term “conduit” in the present invention is referring to any spacehaving inlet and outlet openings (e.g. pipes or window frame).

The term “chamber” in the present invention is referring to any spacewhich has one opening (e.g. a container or a storage tank).

In the context of the present invention a “conduit” relates to apredetermined volume such as a chamber which is a closed volume havingan opening. A conduit is normally understood as a closed volume havingan entrance and an exit, a connector is understood as a closed volumehaving multiple openings, a closed volume having only microscopicopenings or any combination thereof.

In the context of the present invention a plurality of liquid lightguides may be substituted for side emitting (optical) fibers when theaggregate surface area of the end of the liquid light guides isapproximately equal to the operational (exposed) surface area of theside emitting fiber, or when the flux density at the appropriate wavelengths of the delivered light can be otherwise equalized andsimultaneously distributed spatially, or uniformly High grade fusedsilica and/or liquid light guides having transparent or semi transparentsleeves may be substituted for the side emitting fiber as well.

In the context of the present invention a plurality of side emittingoptical fibers may be grouped together in bundles having a common endtermination at one end and individual fiber end portions (endterminations) at the other, or they may be looped to have a singlecommon end termination or to form splits (multi-track bundle typehaving, e.g., single input multiple individual outputs) or formationbundles (distributed within or around or integrated to the walls of aconduit or a chamber having random, rectangular, circular etc. shapes)wherein predetermined species-specific optical dose delivery (fluxdensity required for disinfecting) is maximized for a predeterminedradiation unit of a specific spectral distribution.

In the context of the present invention a conduit is any predeterminedspace with one or more openings for liquids or gases to go into orthrough or out of the conduit.

In the context of the present invention a chamber is any predeterminedspace having one opening for liquids or gases to be put—in or out—of orstored or held in (temporarily or permanently) the chamber.

In the context of the present invention peak power is the top mostpowerful energy generated in a single optical pulse during its duration.

In the context of the present invention pulse duration relates to theoverall time span of a single optical pulse (measured by e.g.nano-second often written in short as Ns, pico second written as Ps,fem. seconds written as Fs etc.)

In the context of the present invention pulse repetition rate relates tothe number of pulses generated over a predetermined time (measured bye.g. pulses per second, normally measured in Hz, for example from about10 Hz to about 18,000 Hz). Furthermore, in the context of the presentinvention said pulses are launched into optical fibers each having atleast one crystal and/or lens at its end termination interface.

In the context of the present invention pulse wavelength relates to thespecific wavelength in which a predetermined pulse is being generated,or projected, wherein pulses so generated within the laser could havedifferent wavelength when exiting or projecting from the fiber (orbundle of fibers) end termination/s, through the crystal interface (e.g.a holographic element).

In the context of the present invention wave length range relates to therange of wave lengths generated by a predetermined monochromatic orpolychromatic light source or any combination thereof. Furthermore, theresulting range of wave lengths transmitted or dispersed or emitted orirradiated or illuminated or refracted or reflected, or any combinationthereof, through (at least one) predetermined optical fiber or bundle/s.

Utilitarian utilization of a predetermined wave length, or beneficialspectrum-specific context or range or band or plurality of wave lengthsor associated cut-off frequencies from groups of predeterminedtransmitting materials, or substances-associated cut off frequencies oflight, relates to at least one CW or PW e.g. Continued Wave or PulsedWave light energy source outputs or inputs which are or exited or lasedor harmonically generated by at least one crystal or filtered, or anycombination thereof, and lead into a predetermined volume of liquids orgasses within a conduit or chamber.

In the context of the present invention pulse modulation relates to theamount or type or timing or combinations of predetermined modulationmodes (e.g. control changes or timing changes or frequency changes orlevel changes or any combination thereof) applied to a specific pulse orsequence of pulses before or during or after or in accordance with aprocess or plurality of pulse generation processes used in a specificlight source or sources or their associated control electronics andintegral or non-integral power sources.

In the context of the present invention down conversion relates to anyoptical process or plurality of processes in which a primary higher wavelength pulse is converted (e.g. down converted to its harmonics) to alower wave length or harmonics by the use of a predetermined crystal orany predetermined optical element (e.g. this process often calledharmonic generation for example a 2nd harmonic on a 1064 nm [IR] pulsewill be 532 nm [Vis] etc.

In the context of the present invention 2nd, or 3rd, or 4th harmonicgeneration also relates to inter-cavity harmonic generation processeswhich occur within a predetermined laser cavity by at least oneintegrated, or externally attached, or supported crystal, or a pluralityof aligned, or coupled sequentially interconnected crystals (e.g. whenthe light source is a laser).

In the context of the present invention triggering means activating ordeactivating or controlling or any combination thereof of a parameter orplurality of parameters related to creation and generation of a specificpredetermined pulse transmitted in real time through at least oneoptical fiber (or any predetermined sequence or plurality of sequencesof a predetermined number of pulses) over a predetermined time (throughthe fibers).

In the context of the present invention up conversion relates to anyoptical process or plurality of processes in which a primary lower wavelength pulse is converted (e.g. up converted to its harmonics throughexcitation and use of crystals) to a higher wave length or harmonics byusing a predetermined crystal or any predetermined additional opticalelement or material in a given state (e.g. liquid, solid, gas) which areinherently excitable. This process often called harmonic generation andis performed with the aid of predetermined crystals or additionaloptical elements, e.g. SHG, THG, FHG, etc.

In the context of the present invention a crystal end-cup is any crystalattached to or integrated with, or integral, or supported by, orpositioned in proximity to the end termination of a fiber for efficient2nd, and/or 3rd, and/or 4th harmonic generation therefrom (e.g. forillumination or irradiation of a predetermined volume of liquids orgasses in the conduit or chamber).

According to a preferred embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, the device includes a conduit or chamber where the fibers aredistributed and/or includes means for supporting or maintaining thedistribution of the fibers within the conduit or chamber.

According to one especially useful embodiment of the device of thepresent invention, the light is primarily ultra-violet, for disinfection(selective inactivation or destroying) of bacteria or othermicroorganism life forms.

Light from the radiation unit is lead to the optic fiber by opticallyaligning a beam of light from the radiation unit into an end termination(end portion) of the fiber, or by integrating the radiation unit intothe fiber, or by optically aligning beams of light from the radiationunit into (through) a side of the fiber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, the conduit or chamber is a filtration unit having at leastone porous screen or (element) surface disk for removal of particulatematerial. Furthermore, the optical fibers may be integrated into or ontoat least one of the screens or surface disks (e.g. filter elements).

There may be environments which cause deterioration to the surface ofthe optic fibers. This deterioration may be caused by physical contact(such as high velocity impact of particles and the fiber's surface) orby chemical reactivity between the fiber's surface and liquids (orgases) in the conduit or chamber.

In such cases it is advised to isolate the fibers from their operatingenvironment by using a transparent or opaque sleeve. Thus, oneembodiment of the device of the present invention has a separatetransparent or opaque sleeve enclosing the optic fibers, while inanother equally useful embodiment the sleeve enclosing the opticalfibers is integrally formed.

According to another useful embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, the light is primarily visible, especially for disturbing thebreading cycle of cockroaches.

The selection of light source (for production of visible light and/orultra violet light and/or light of other wave lengths and frequencies)depends on the target species and to their wave length and frequencyspecific light sensitivity. For example, according to a novel embodimentof the device of the present invention the conduit or chamber of thedevice (or the conduit or chamber where the fibers of the device aredistributed) is a sewer pipe, a section of a sewer pipe, or a network ofsewer pipes.

According to this embodiment, bacteria and/or cockroaches and or othernoxious species may be eliminated from (disinfected e.g. selectivelyinactivated or destroyed) the sewage prior to (or during or after)standard treatment and/or discharge.

This treatment of the sewage while still in the sewer pipe network isespecially useful for improving public health (a) in large urban areaswhere many regions of the sewage collection network are distant fromtheir eventual treatment plants, (b) in regions where the eventualsewage discharge is through a cesspools (distributed local groundseepage networks) and where simultaneously the ground water level ishigh, and (c) in urban areas where the human population does not haveproper access to modem medical care (and is thus subject to epidemicnoxious infestations), (d) intervention task forces to disaster areasand regions which may experience floods, typhoons, hurricanes or earthquakes and are therefore in need of urgent disinfecting of liquids orgases due to collapsed or damage to existing infrastructure (e.g. waterpipes and treatment plants, important air passages), (e) sea waterfiltration systems, (f) pre/post filtration for sterilization (g)pre/post disinfecting of industrial water recycling.

Another useful embodiment of the device of the present invention relatesto the conduit or chamber (where the fibers are distributed) as a closedspace. For example, when the closed space (conduit or chamber where thefibers are distributed and /or are supported) is (a) the aerationvolumes of loosely packed soil, (b) a cabinet, (c) a closet, (d) thespace below a raised floor, (e) the space above a drop ceiling, (f) thespace in a hollow wall, (g) an attic, (h) a crawl space, (i) the spacebetween stored articles, (j) the space between infrastructure supportconnections (e.g. underground, electric or telephone cables), (k) awater carrying pipe or module, (l) a shoe (when not being worn), thespace in a brush head for cleaning conduits or chambers, (m) a windowframe to the open air, (n) a tunnel, (o) oxygenation and water treatmentponds, (p) the head of a tooth brush, (q) a vacuum cleaner attachment.

Many of the embodiments of the device of the present invention arefunctionally more efficient when they have a computer controlling theoutput of the radiation unit. The computer may effect this control byregulating the electric current powering the radiation source (forcertain type of light sources), by regulating the alignment of lightfrom the radiation unit with the side emitting optical fibers, or byregulating the reflective feed back of the terminal end cap at the farend of the side emitting optical fibers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, the radiation unit is a laser. According to a furtherrefinement of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theoptical fiber's path in a predetermined space of the conduit is arrangedto form at least one region of constructive interference in the conduitwhere liquids or gases are present (and this result is most convenientlyaccomplished when the radiation unit is a laser).

This constructive interference is easier to accomplish in a controlledgeometry when the fiber's path (according to the present invention) isof a spiral (or zig-zag) arrangement for forming a plane, a cone, acylinder, or a smooth surface.

Another compatible method wherein the constructive interference isaccomplished is to arrange the path of the fiber with the fiber bentback along its own path to form at least one section of parallel fiberpath.

A further compatible method for use of the device of the presentinvention wherein the constructive interference is accomplished is toarrange a reflective member parallel to at least one section of thefiber in the conduit or chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, this reflective member is integral to the at least one fiber.

According to another useful embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, the end of the optical fiber or fibers in the conduit orchamber are arranged to form at least one region of constructiveinterference in the conduit or chamber (when the radiation unit is alaser). A preferred method for accomplishing this effect according tothis embodiment is to arrange the end of at least one of the opticalfibers opposite a reflective member.

According to another embodiment of the device of the present invention,a holographic optical element (e.g. a computer generated film, digitallyencoded memory chips or disks) is incorporated into the means foraligning the sheath of the fiber (in the conduit, a chamber) to form atleast one region of constructive interference in the conduit or chamber(when the radiation unit is a laser).

For example, according to one method of using the device of the presentinvention the holographic element is aligned between the radiationsource and the end of the optical fiber, or according to another methodof using the device of the present invention, the holographic element islocated in the conduit or chamber at the terminating end of the opticfiber. The use of holographic elements especially outside of the visiblespectrum (such as in many applications of the device of the presentinvention) allows an invisible hologram (e.g. uv hologram within theconduit or chamber) to be formed.

According to another interesting embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, a reflective end cap is affixed on the terminal end of theoptical fiber to form at least one region of constructive interferencein the conduit or chamber (when the radiation unit is a laser) to beformed.

According to another embodiment of the device of the present invention,a disinfecting holographic element is formed within a conduit or achamber using at least one (side emitting) optical fiber wherein theholographic formation is brought by at least one single wave lengthcoherent light beam at about 187 nm to about 320 nm wherein focusingoptics are used for conditioning the light beams (from the radiationunit) on entrance or exit to/from the fiber.

According to an environment friendly embodiment of the device of thepresent invention, a plurality of fibers are aligned to at least oneradiation unit having a high intensity light source. The fibers aredistributed within a conduit or a chamber wherein the fibers are groupedby a common end termination at one end, and their other end portions aregrouped together to form a brush. Light from the light source isilluminating outwardly from the fibers sides and end portions forilluminating a predetermined volume of liquids or gases internally, i.e.within the brush head or externally, i.e. within an external conduit orchamber.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, endportions of a plurality of (side emitting) optical fibers are groupedand harnessed to a common end termination within a modular attachment ofa vacuum cleaner wherein other ends of the fibers are grouped togetherin the shape of a (fiber) brush. A radiation unit having a highintensity source of light is aligned with the fibers, wherein the fibersare distributed within the conduit or chamber for illuminating apredetermined volume of liquid or gas therein.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, atleast one high power ultra violet laser is used in at least one ofpulsed mode and continuing mode (pw, cw) and combination thereof, andthe ultraviolet pulses and continuous waves are referenced, controlledand triggered by an accurate clock for illuminating a predeterminedvolume of liquid or gas within a conduit or chamber.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, lightfrom at least one light source is aligned to at least one multiplexed,multi-dimensional distributed layer of a side emitting optical fiber forthe purpose of removing or self cleaning (by photons optical impact)colloidal deposits and/or hard water deposits from immersed fiber/ssleeves, optical outputs, reflectance members, conditioning optics,light guides, or a combination thereof, by providing an enhanced ultraviolet transmission from about 180 nm to about 280 nm within the conduitor chamber therby ensuring that the UV dose delivery is calibrated inaccordance with species-specific calibration standards for adequatelyilluminating or irradiating or disinfecting a predetermined volume ofliquid or gas within the conduit or chamber.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, atleast one region of constructive interference (holographic) at apreferred wavelength in the range from about 180 nm to 270 nm and theflux density are calibrated in accordance with the species-specificcalibration standards wherein DNA or RNA replicating sequences of atleast one micro-organism or at least one macro organism or a combinationthereof is selectively inactivated.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, atleast one high intensity light source is positioned at a predetermineddistance from the conduit or chamber wherein the light is guided orlaunched or projected or trajected or transferred or diffused or anycombination thereof by at least one side emitting optical fiber for theproduction of at least one region of constructive interference withinthe conduit or chamber. The device of the invention should notphysically restrict water or gas movement or flow in, out of or throughthe conduit or chambers.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, thefibers are distributed within and around a plurality of opticallytransparent (water) filtering disks, screens for simultaneouslyfiltering suspended solids in a pre determined volume of liquid or gascontinued in a conduit or chamber while illuminating or irradiating theliquid/gas.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, atleast one radiation unit has a high intensity source of light, and thelight, pulsed or continuous or a combination thereof (at about 180 nm toabout 400 nm) is aligned to a plurality of side emitting optical fibersand the fibers are distributed within a conduit or a chamber forilluminating a predetermined volume of liquid or gas therein. Anadequate level of particle size distribution (PSD) is reached (by prefiltering or recycling of the liquids or gases) to ensure continuous(adequate) transmission of optical radiation of a specific spectraldistribution over a predetermined period of exposure time (e.g.disinfecting dose).

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, theradiation unit having a high intensity source of light is a fiber laserwherein the fiber laser could be ergonomically integrated into a tightspace inside or outside of a conduit or a chamber.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, theconduit or chamber is a filtering unit having at least one magneticelement or field for filtering out metallic substances or compounds (inthe liquids or gases to be disinfected).

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention,conditioning optics (e.g. a lens, a beam spliter, an acousto-opticalshutter, a shutter, a focusing lens, a beam expander, a beam expandertelescope) are used to condition beams of light (from the radiationunit) exiting from the fiber.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, anoff axis beam or reference beam is projected from end portion/s of atleast one side emitting optical fiber wherein the fiber end portions aredistributed within a conduit or a chamber for production of at least oneregion of constructive interference (within the conduit or chamber).

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, anultra violet (invisible) hologram is formed within a conduit or achamber from at least one region of constructive interference forfacilitating elimination of head loss due to the conduit or chambergeometry (without distracting the liquids or gasses flowingtherethrough).

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, thelevel or flow rate of liquids and gases within a conduit or a chamber iscalibrated to a radiation unit for saving on energy consumption ormaximizing the efficiency of illumination or irradiation of apredetermined volume of the liquids or gasses within the conduit orchamber.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, theconduit or chamber where the fibers are distributed is water or airsystems in a car (e.g. air conditioning, radiator, wind shield washingsystem).

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, theconduit or chamber where the fibers are distributed is water or air(liquid or gas) systems in a public transport train or bus.

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, ahigh intensity IR pulsed light source launches pulses at a repetitionrate from about 10 Hz to about 1 Ghz, a pulse width of from about 118 Psto about 100 ns and a wavelength of from about 850 nm to about 2400 nm.The pulses are launched into single mode fibers. A connected orintegrated crystal is aligned at the end point of the single mode fibers(the end termination entering into the reactor active cross sections)for creating 4th, or 3rd, or 2nd harmonics or any combination thereof,thereby for illuminating or irradiating a predetermined volume ofliquids or gasses within the conduit or chamber with a wide range ofspectral signatures.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at leastone fiber is a PM (Polarization Maintaining optical fiber) type fiberhaving its polarity calibrated against the polarity of the crystal or aplurality of crystal interfaces for maximizing the conversion efficiencyalong a predetermined optical axis, or in the direction of the opticalpath or in accordance with a predetermined conduit or chamber geometrypredetermined optical fibers, crystals and laser disinfecting reactors.

According to a medical application of the present invention, apredetermined conduit is used for external dialysis processes whereinfibers are distributed around and/or supported on the conduit forilluminating or irradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gassestherein. Furthermore, the liquids or gasses could be illuminated orirradiated in a wide range of medical treatments including: 1)Preparation of pharmaceutical substances or medicines, 2) Medicaldischarges e.g. during operations or other procedures, 3) Invasivemedical procedures using laser operation, 4) Birth procedures forgeneral hygiene, 5) Dentistry or orthodontist procedures and treatments,6) Darmatological treatments 7) For disinfecting the air or water supplyto and from numerous hospital patients, 8) Infusion of liquids orgasses, 9) Transplant operations, 10) Medical transplants 11) Incubatorsfor young or prematurely born babies, 12) For disinfecting clinic orlaboratory liquid or gas main supplies, 13) In aquariums or other lifepreserving conduits or chambers, 14) In emergency equipment forresuscitation, 15) In a rural or urban main supply of liquids or gassesto hospitals or domestic or industrial end users, 16) In clean rooms orenvironments used for diagnostics or medical treatments against noxiousspecies.

According to a medical application of the present invention, small orlarge medical instrumentation can be disinfected efficiently. Morespecifically fiber crystal end terminations are distributed in orsupported by or integrated into or placed in a proximity of or connectedto a conduit or chamber. Predetermined pulse peak powers or pulsefrequencies are utilized for specific equalization or inactivation ofnoxious species in: a) disinfecting tank or area or chamber, b) aworking area where liquids or gasses are presented, c) a stove or tablesurface, d) a window frame or air passage, e) air-conditioning systemsor air pumps, f) laundry areas and storage containers, g) semi-conductormanufacturing sites or rooms, h) laundress, i) food storage tanks orcontainers or rooms, j) drinks and beverages manufacturing conduits orchambers, k) conduits or chambers for dissemination of sea water, l)biologically controlled environments such as laboratories and theirassociated storage conduits or chambers in biotechnology industries, m)conduits or chambers used for the dairy industry and related foodproduce industries, n) Hygiene or educational predetermined areas orsurfaces wherein contamination of bacteria may occur in conduits orchambers or in confined predetermined containers storage areas, o) inconduits or chambers for preparation of baby foods or drinks, p) inmedical emergencies when it is needed to immediate disinfect of apredetermined conduit or chamber or surface used in a specific medicaloperation or procedure, q) in beds or mattresses wherein a predeterminedconduit or chamber is to be used for transferring or distributing ordisinfecting liquids or gasses contained therein, r) in “at source”liquids or gasses at points of origination, s) in paper factories, t) inswimming-pools, w) in industrial recycling of liquids or gasses, x) inair treatment plants, y) in critical air passages, z) at the end userpoint of use of drinking water, z/a) at the end user point of use of airor other relevant unharmful gasses during medical treatments andprocedures.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a high intensitypulsed light source is down or up converted e.g. by 2^(nd), or 3^(rd),or 4^(th) harmonic generation and/or excitation, and/or pumpingarchitectures or any combination thereof at one end of the fiber andharmonically processed, or converted, or excited, or any combinationthereof at the other end of the fiber for illuminating (in 400 nm to 700nm visible spectrum) or irradiating (in 850 nm to 2400 nm and 200 nm to400 nm spectrums) a predetermined volume of liquids or gases within theconduit or chamber (e.g. within active reactor geometry, or holographictype ring, or slits, or bar, or any combination or arrangement thereof).

According to an embodiment of the device of the present invention, thehigh intensity light source is a pulse laser which is used to provideprimary pulses in the infra red (IR) portion of the spectrum. The pulsesare launched or distributed or transmitted through single mode fibers,or multi-mode fibers, or gradient index fibers, or light conductinglayers, or any combination thereof to be converted or harmonized toproduce UV (A, B, C) or visible light or IR for illuminating orirradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gasses in the conduitor chamber.

According to an embodiment of devices according to the presentinvention, light from a pulsed laser (e.g. high intensity, high energy,high peak power pulsed laser light) is converted into 2nd harmonic, or3rd harmonic, or 4th harmonic (e.g. SHG, THG, FHG, etc.) using apredetermined primary wavelength according to predetermined lazingmaterials, or mirrors, or prisms, or lenses or any combination thereof(e.g. by a crystal positioned at a predetermined angle). Furthermore, inan especially beneficial embodiment of the device of the presentinvention the harmonic generation processes are performed within apredetermined area of the cavity (or cavities) in a predetermined laserlight source geometry, prior to delivery of the high intensity or highpeak power laser pulses at least one optical fiber or bundle of fibers(e.g. using inter-cavity SHG, THG, FHG), for efficiently illuminating orirradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gasses within theconduit or chamber.

An embodiment of the device according to the present invention has atleast one flash lamp as the primary pumping (e.g. optical pumping) ofthe laser (e.g. lazing rod). A further beneficial embodiment of thepresent invention has at least one diode as the pumping (e.g. opticalpumping) of the high peak power light source.

In an embodiment of the device of the present invention, the primary(e.g. pumping) wave length is selected from about 1064 nm forNd:yag/1064 nm or GaAs/810-905 nm or any combination thereof forefficiently illuminating or irradiating using a crystal interface togenerate 2nd or 3rd or 4th harmonics whereby a predetermined volume ofliquids or gasses in the chamber is adequately disinfected using shortpulses having high peak powers in contradiction to CW average powerwhich is generated by UV lamps which are currently the principle meansof generating UV energy for disinfecting.

In a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, thepumping wave length is selected from a predetermined electromagneticspectrum wherein each laser according to the lasing material correspondsto appropriate crystals for generating 2nd or 3rd or 4th harmonics orany combination thereof. The pick power of the primary or harmonicpulses provides for efficient illumination (in a visible spectrum 400 nmto 700 nm) or irradiation (in spectrums of 220 nm to 400 nm for UVradiation or 700 nm to 2400 nm for IR radiation) of a predeterminedvolume of liquids or gasses by providing an adequate dose of pulses peakpowers to efficiently inactivate DNA and RNA replication sequences.

In an embodiment of the device of the present invention, the conduit orchamber inner surface is grooved, or bent, or deposited or extruded orinjected or glued or inserted or extended or pulled by a variety offashions, or coated spirally or deposited in layers, to extend inwardlyin a predetermined patterns for the purpose of guiding hydraulically orpneumatically a predetermined volume of liquids or gasses therethrough.More specifically, the extensions can take the shape of (A) a spiralextending to cover at least one portion of the predetermined inner spacealong the length of the conduit or chamber for slowing or speeding themovement of the liquids or gasses therethrough or (B) a grid uniformlyditributed in the conduit. The liquids or gasses are permanently ortemporarily standing or stored in, or in transition in and throughoutthe conduit or chamber, or any combination thereof. The fibers or waveguides are distributed for effective illumination or irradiation of theliquids or gasses over a predetermined time.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is especially usefulwhere the conduit or chamber is integral parts of a vehicle.Furthermore, the engine or power source of the vehicle could function orbe diverted for operating the pulse or continuous laser source or pumpor water or air flow or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the enginecould operate in a single platform in which the flow rate or velocity orpressure or quality of the liquids or gasses will control the pulsewidth or pulse duration or pulse peak power, or pulse wave length orpulse repetition rates or any combination thereof of the laser.

A further useful embodiment of the device according to the presentinvention is to have a vehicle equipped with a high intensity pulselaser light source connected to the batteries or engine of the vehiclefor illuminating or irradiating a predetermined volume of liquids orgasses in the integrated conduits or chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, laser pulserepetition rate (1) or pulse duration (2) or pulse peak-power (3) orpulse-wavelength (4) or pulse width (5) or any combination thereof aresynchronized or locked or referenced or timed or triggered or controlledor modulated by (when connected to a computer) software or hardware orany combination thereof.

Furthermore, water flow (6) or air flow (7) rates or any hydraulical orpneumatical aspects or parameters relating to the flow of liquids orgasses in the conduit or chamber or any combination thereof are linkedto refer (8) , or activate (9), or control (10), or modulate (11) apredetermined variety of control parameters from the active light sourcepower unit (12), or its associated control electronics (13) forgenerating high peak power pulses (e.g. harmonic generation by attachedor integrated crystals into the fiber end termination) or for productionof timing variation (14) or sequences of variations (15) in laser pulseduration (16), or width (17), or repetition rates (18), or peak power(19), or pulse wave length (20), or angle (21), or any combinationthereof when the attached or integrated crystal (22) is positionedinside a ring (23) or rod (24) or pipe (25) or network of infrastructuresupports (26) or flat or curled or twisted or pressed surfaces or anycombination thereof. Furthermore, in an especially beneficial embodimentof the present invention, a plurality of parameters are softwarecontrolled such as TSS (26 a) (Total Suspended Solids) levels orTurbidity levels, (26 b) PSD or Particle Size Distribution levels,liquid or gas flow rates (27) or any combination thereof. The parametersare detected (28) in real time and/or synchronized (28 a), to ensurecontinuous (29)(adequate) transmission of optical radiation (30) of aspecific spectral distribution (31) over a predetermined exposure time(32) e.g. disinfecting dose using the peak powers (33) of the pulses orsequences (34) of pulses.

In an especially beneficial embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, a plurality of predetermined (variables) parameters oraspects or levels or time positioning of any combination thereofrelating to the laser pulse generation device (e.g. high intensity pulselaser light source) are interacting in real time for the purpose ofilluminating or irradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gassesover a predetermined time in the conduit or chamber. Furthermore, thedevice of the present invention utilizes a high intensity pulse lasersource having associated hardware or software architecture linked orsynchronized to hydraulic or pneumatic aspects or parameters associatedwith the flow rate of the liquids or gasses or related to thepredetermined types of the liquids or gasses being disinfected or anycombination thereof.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, atleast one conversion process, or plurality of processes, is taking placewithin the laser head itself in order to maximize transmission, orminimize fiber damage thresholds or tolerances, or any combinationthereof. Furthermore, in an especially useful embodiment of the presentinvention a 2nd, (or 3rd, or 4th,) harmonic generation device is placedin the vicinity of the laser enclosure (or head) wherein the laser inits entirety is irradiating or illuminating into (coupled) at least oneoptical fiber at a wavelength of from about 218 nm to about 1064 nm andthe wavelength is converted at the other end of the fiber into anadequate wavelength or frequency of light, using at least one crystal ora plurality of crystals, for irradiating or illuminating a predeterminedvolume of liquids or gasses in the conduit or chamber with the light.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the laser pumpingarchitecture is a) a flush lamp, b) a diode pumping architecture, or anycombination thereof. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the presentinvention, at least one high intensity pulsed laser source of light (A1)is aligned to a predetermined fibers matrix thread (B1) or multi trackbundle of fibers (C1) or rectangular bundle of fibers (D1) or singlemode arrangement of fibers (E1) or multi mode common end terminationholding a predetermined number of single strand fibers (F1) or group ormixed groups of fibers (G1) or predetermined dimensionally positionedpolarization maintaining arrangement of fibers (H1) or graded indexcollection of fibers (I1) or multiple gradient index fibers heldtogether (J1) or any combination thereof (K1). The fibers are alignedwith the output of the high intensity, high peak power pulse laser lightsource for receiving pules (L1) or sequences of pulses (M1) each havinghigh peak powers. The variables or parameters relating to the differentrelationships between the flow rate of predetermined liquids or gasses(N1) through a predetermined conduit or chamber (O1) geometry or crosssection or length or dimension over a predetermined time (P1) areassociated with aspects of light (Q1) i.e. associated pulsed orcontinuous (e.g. PW, CW) modes (R1), velocities, or energies, or timingsor any combination thereof.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the fiber endterminations are distributed and/or supported with crystal interfaces orend cup inputs/outputs which transmit light but isolate, protect andblock the passage of liquids or gasses from within or throughout theconduit or chamber from reaching out through the optical fiberinput/output interfaces or gaps therebetween or any combination thereof(e.g. crystal interfaces, end cups, lens, beam expanders, mirrors,elastic siloxan based lens which are straight, bent, twisted or anycombination thereof). The supports including a) a ring, b) a rod, c) astraight section of metal, or d) plastic or e) polymeric compounds or f)rubber silicon or g) flat diluted rubber silicon, h) conduit or chamber,i) single or double or triple or any combination there of opaque orreflective walls or enclosure of a disinfecting reactor (e.g. a conduitor a chamber). Furthermore, the support for the optical fiber integratedj) crystal end terminations could be positioned in a predeterminedparallel k) or sequential l) output path corresponding to thegeometrical shape or the specific dimensions of the predeterminedconduit or chamber types, the direction m) or flow velocity n) of theliquids or gasses in the conduit or chamber. This embodiment comprises avariety of supports and guiding elements including o) hydraulic spiralinner extension or steering having predetermined shapes or grooves,pneumatical steering wings or shaped extensions p) for conducting andcirculating the liquids or gasses across the cross-section of theconduit or chamber for increasing their respective predeterminedexposure time (e.g. slowing down flow rate by conducting the liquids orgasses around (by increasing friction or resistance equilibrium), q) apipe or network of pipes, r) a grid, s) a network of grids, t) a conduitor chamber, w) a pond or tank x) a mobile vehicle for intervention taskforces specialized for disaster suffering areas caused by floods, earthquakes, vulcan activities y) a conduit or chamber for medicalpreparations, and/or transplants, z) medical dialysis of blood and airor other related, and/or relevant liquids or gasses.

In an embodiment of the device of the present invention, the same singlemode fiber or fiber bundle used to distribute high intensity pulsedenergy (prior to performing 2^(nd), 3^(rd), 4^(th) harmonic generation)is simultaneously used to carry sensored data or spectroscopic dataacquisition or other relevant data or machine control protocols or anycombination thereof, for monitoring of illumination or irradiation orfor transferring measurements of a predetermined level of suspendedsolids or biological compounds or non-biological compounds or turbidityor transparency or any combination thereof in a volume of liquids orgasses inside the conduit or chamber.

In an embodiment of the present invention, liquids or gasses areilluminated or irradiated or transferred simultaneously within the samereactor geometry.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the crystals are attached orinterfaced to the end termination of the fiber or fiber bundle thepredetermined bundle of fibers is coated for appropriately providingsufficient electrical conductivity to change the magnetic charge of thesurface of the crystal for the purpose of creating repulsion from theilluminating or irradiating (e.g. pulsed or continuous modes PW, CW) orslowing or preventing the attachment or any combination thereof ofcolloidal deposits originating from or carried by hard water or air orother liquids or gasses within the conduit or chamber.

In an embodiment of the device of the present invention, at least oneshort laser pulse having a high peak power from a high intensity sourceof light is more efficient, over the same period of time for the purposeof providing an adequate disinfecting dose against noxious microorganism, than an average power of a CW/UV lamp of the same rated poweroutput. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the device of the presentinvention, inactivation of DNA or RNA replication sequences are inferredwith as a result of illumination of the short pulses having high peakpowers in the visible spectrum or the UV (A, B, C) spectrum or the IRspectrum or any combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, atleast one laser pulse has a short duration of time from about 1 arc/secto about 1 second and the laser pulses has a high peak power of fromabout 118 mJ to about 3.18 J. The pulses are radiated into a conduit orchamber through optical fibers wherein the short laser pulses havinghigh energy are directly projected or targeted or reflected ortransmitted or any combination thereof to ensure continuous (adequate)transmission of optical radiation of a specific spectral distributionover a predetermined exposure time (e.g. pulse disinfecting dose orPDD). Alternatively, the pulses are distributed throughout the entirelength of the fiber for illuminating and/or irradiating a predeterminedvolume of liquids and/or gasses within the conduit or chamber. Theability to manipulate and deliver light from the light source to apredetermined location within a predetermined reactor (e.g. a conduit orchamber), and to split, and/or transmit, and/or diffuse, and/or deliver,and/or project and/or harmonically generate predetermined wavelengths oflight or any combination thereof from a single light source, surpassesprevious methods of delivering an adequate disinfecting dose withoutfibers. Furthermore, previous methods of laser delivery have notsatisfied producers and/or end users with sufficient efficiencies ofoptical distribution and have not entered the market due to abovementioned limitations due to reactor design constrains. Furthermore, thepresent invention gains many advantages by being capable of splittingthe light from a single light source over hundreds and/or thousands ofindividual optical fibers, facilitating accurate delivery of opticalenergy to any location within a reactor (e.g. a conduit or chamber)geometry, leaving the lamps or lasers out of the reactor vicinity,allowing creation of important networks of optical fibers for carrying,delivering and distributing high intensity optical energy to points ofuse, and/or end users from a central or remotely positioned lightsource. The present invention facilitates an advantageous, novel, andutilitarian beneficial system geometry, and/or architectures whereininstead of current technologies for disinfecting bacteria which bringsthe water to the light; the present invention delivers the light to anypredetermined locations through/via optical fibers. The light will beconverted into an adequate wavelength and/or frequency range, or downconverted, and/or harmonically generated for efficiently illuminatingand/or irradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gasses in theconduit or chamber provided with the fibers.

In a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, inorder to disinfect a predetermined volume of liquids or gasses (withinthe conduit or chamber), the fibers are distributed around or supportedby, or attached to, or connected to, or embedded in, or glued to, orsucked in the conduit or chamber, by a reversed pressure, or a flowpressure, or a pressure relating to the depth of the liquids (e.g.water),or gasses (e.g. such as air), or solids (e.g. such as soil), orrocky layers e.g. often found in oil fields or petroleum wells ordrilling sites.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conduit orchamber is the filtration unit in wells for filtering suspended solidsin petroleum, and/or water drillings sites on the ground and in the seawhere conventional existing technologies fail to provide appropriateeconomically realistic solution to noxious bacteria responsible forclogging water filter grids, or matrixes, or conduits or chambers, orwater cooling filter elements for drilling heads in a predetermineddrilling site. The present invention is not so limited and could also beused in a wide variety of drilling applications where high repetitionrate, high peak power pulses (a1) could be launched (b1) hundreds ofmeters under the sea (c1) or deep in the ground (d1) via or through anoptical fiber (e1), or a bundle of fibers (f1). At the targetdestination light is passing through an end cup or a crystal interfacefor harmonic generation therby delivering a predetermined wavelength oflight into a conduit or chamber (e.g. the water filter for cooling thedrill heads, deep under the sea bed or ground) for illuminating orirradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gasses therein (withthe light).

In a preferred embodiment according to the method of the presentinvention, any combination of liquids or gasses enclosed inside anatural conduit or chamber (e.g. inside earth layers or rocky layers)can be disinfected. A drilling site could be under water (1), in theopen sea (2), in wells for fresh water (3), or petroleum wells invariety of topographic or geophysical locations (4). Furthermore, a widevariety of geometry could be beneficially used therby increasingefficiency of the drilling sites by providing efficient means fordisinfecting bacteria or noxious microorganism which clogs importantexisting filtration paths and means (5).

In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, aremote high intensity, high pulse peak power laser light source (6) iscoupled (7) to a predetermined arrangement of a single mode fiber (8),or a plurality of fibers bundled (9) in a predetermined shape (9 a) orpacking friction (10) or any combination thereof (10 a). Thepredetermined fiber types are chosen to carry adequate intensity ofpulsed energy (10 b) for irradiating or illuminating a predeterminedvolume (10 c) of liquids or gasses in the conduit or chamber.

In a preferred embodiment, a group of devices according to the presentinvention, is especially beneficial in drilling sites for undergroundsurvey for predetermined petroleum liquid types (12) or fresh water(13), or liquids (14), or gasses (15), or any combination thereof (16)(in such drilling sites at least one type of liquids or gasses needs tobe disinfected). Furthermore, in the present invention, a remote pulsedlaser source is aligned to at least one optical fiber and the pulsedlaser is operating in the wavelength range from about 230 nm (16 a), toabout 1064 nm (16 b), and the pulses are distributed or delivered deepunder ground (16 c), through a guiding pipe (16 d), or optical fiberthread pipe guide type (16 e), or under sea (16 f), or between rockylayers (16 g) or any combination thereof (16 h) using at least oneoptical fiber or a bundle of fibers (16 i). The conduit or chamber (e.g.various disinfecting reactors) could have an elongated, or twisted, orcurled, or bent shape. The conduit may run in parallel or in serial orcombination thereof or be hydraulically or pneumatically shaped or anycombination thereof for increasing or reducing flow rates ofpredetermined liquids or gasses, or for increasing or reducing theexposure time of said liquids or gasses to the pulses (17) or continuous(18) waves of light for irradiating or illuminating a predeterminedvolume of the liquids or gasses in the conduit or chamber where thefibers are distributed or supported. Such a conduit or chamber could belocated within the drilling head (17 a) or its filtration system or itcould be positioned (or integrated into the drilling tower) before orafter primary drilling has occurred or both.

A preferred embodiment is especially beneficial to the drillingindustries for petroleum, or fresh water where clogging of filters incritical water (1), or petroleum (2), or liquids or gasses (2), or anycombination thereof (2 a), is substantially reduced resulting in lessdown time, less maintenance, and less periodical replacement incontradiction to the current technologies available in the drillingindustries. Furthermore, the method of the present invention facilitatesthe use of available, reasonably priced, durable, pulsed laser lightsources, such as a general type of high repetition, high peak powerlasers, known from their wide use in telecommunication industries (fordata transmissions applications).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conduit orchamber is an algae reactor having high industrial photosynthesiscapabilities for CO2 fixation and/or utilization.

According to the method of the present invention, the disinfection istriggered by thresholds relating to levels of the liquid or gas flowrate or the predetermined disinfecting throughput efficiency required inaccording to geometry of the conduit or chamber types used. Furthermore,the present invention is especially beneficial where the optical fiberis incorporated in, or attached to, or oriented as light conductingsurface disks, e.g. in filtration units designed to filter outparticulate material above a predetermined size, or in back-flashcleaning operation of existing water or air filters (e.g. filters forliquids or gasses utilizing surface disks, or membranes, or grids, orany combination thereof). The disks could have an appropriate refractiveindex profile for appropriate transmission throughout an interior of apredetermined conduit or chamber of predetermined geometry forsimultaneously filtering and illuminating or irradiating a predeterminedvolume of liquids or gasses in the conduit or chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further described and illustrated indetail with reference to FIGS. 1-13. The following detailed descriptionsof the preferred embodiment do not intend to limit the scope of thepresent invention in any way.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic layout of fibers in a conduit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic layout of a semi holographic diffusiveelement in a conduit.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic layout of a combination of looped and endglowing fibers in a chamber.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic layout of a multi tail optical cableassembly with a control and monitoring system.

FIG. 5 illustrates a disinfecting brush (e.g. a toothbrush).

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of variously oriented fibers in aconduit.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a semi holographic, partiallydielectric, harmonic ring with multiple delivery architecture.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a swiveling frame with aselection of fibers and crystals for harmonic generation of opticalradiation.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of a semi holographic ring featuringvariable transparency conduit.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic layout of a municipal and domesticharmonic disinfecting network.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of a petroleum or fresh water welldisinfecting system.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a harmonic thermally isolatedand stabilized semi holographic diffusive ring.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic view of a semi holographic, partiallydielectric ring with crystal arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrate a schematic view of a device for disinfecting liquidsor gases.

A device for disinfecting liquids or gasses is shown, comprising atleast one optical fiber (1) located within a conduit (2) or a chamber,and a radiation unit having a high intensity source (3) of light. Thelight is coupled (4) the fiber, wherein the fiber is distributed withinthe conduit for illuminating a predetermined volume of liquids or gassestherein. A crystal reflective member (5) is shown with at least oneregion of constructive interference above it.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of another device for disinfectingliquids or gasses. A device for disinfecting liquids or gasses is shown,comprising at least one optical fiber (17) located within a conduit (14)or a chamber , and a radiation unit having a high intensity source (7)of light. The light is powered by an electrical power source (6) andlaunches with a primary wavelength from 399 nm to about 2800 nm, andcoupled to a fiber harness connector (8). The light is transmittedthrough a light guide (9) wherein the light guide end portion (10) isconnected to a central multi-tail optical fiber harness (11) from whichthe fibers are distributed within the conduit (14) or chamber forilluminating a pre-determined volume of liquids or gasses therein (withwave length of from about 180 nm to about 400 nm). A polarizationmaintaining optical fiber is illustrated on the left (16) extending toilluminate (with a wave length of 266 nm to 1064 nm) the inner space ofthe conduit or chamber. An additional solarization resistant opticalfiber (12) is illustrated on the right to extend to surround the body ofthe conduit marked as illustrated by doted line on the left crosssection of the conduit. This fiber crystal inter-mated end portion (13)is illustrated as projecting (irradiating or illuminating) harmonicallygenerated, frequency doubled, or converted or any combination there oflight beams of a wave length of from about 266 nm to about 1064 nm. Theimportant attribution of particle size distribution (PSD) to lighttransmission (within the conduit or chamber) is demonstrated on the leftby two particles (21) to demonstrate optimal (preferred ) condition forlight transmission within the conduit or chamber. The level of TotalSuspended Solids (TSS) (19) contained in the predetermined volume ofliquids or gasses shows its important attributions for lighttransmission efficiency (within the conduit or chamber). A crystalreflective member (22) as illustrated at the center of the conduit orchamber, reflects or absorbs the light from the fibers sides (12) andend portions (16) on the left and (15) on the right. Element 20represents a liquid light guide (in addition to the optical fibers)distributed within the conduit or chamber and connected at the back tothe central multi-tail harness (11). A constructive interference and/ordiffusion (18) is shown on the right. A semi-holographic formation isformed by the radiation unit's primary wavelength or frequency of light(and projected from the fibers) and its secondary (e.g. 2^(nd), and/or3^(rd), and/or 4^(th), harmonically generated, or frequency doubled,and/or converted) wave length in the Visible, and/or UVA, and/or UVB,and/or UVC regions or any spectral combination thereof which has a wavelength of from about 218 nm to about 2400 nm.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a device for disinfecting liquidsor gasses.

A device for disinfecting liquids or gasses is shown, comprising atleast one optical fiber (31) located within a conduit or a chamber (28)which could be scaled up to be a pond, a channel, container, largetanks, pipes, and/or sub-miniaturized for medical or surgicaltransplants, in dialysis, in medical preparation of complex compounds,in drinking water, or confined air. A radiation unit has a highintensity source (23) of light and is powered by an electric power (24)supply unit. The primary wavelengths or frequencies of light from UVA,and/or UVB, and/or UVC, and/or Visible, and/or NIR, and/or IR regions ofthe spectrum or any combination thereof from the radiation unit iscoupled (27) to the fiber, wherein the fiber is distributed within theconduit or chamber for illuminating (with a wave length of 233 nm toabout 532 nm) a predetermined volume (32) of liquids or gasses therein.The distribution of the fibers within the conduit or chamber areillustrated to include a single individual fiber distributed (31) and/orcrystal terminated or intermated for direct projection and/or harmonicgeneration of secondary (e.g. 2^(nd) harmonic generation) from theprimary wavelength and frequencies of light. A looped distributed bundleof side emitting optical fiber (29) is also shown within the conduit orchamber for illuminating and/or irradiating the liquids or gassestherein. e.g. with the secondary 2^(nd), and/or 3^(rd), and/or 4^(th)harmonically generated wavelength and/or frequencies of light.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a device for disinfecting liquidsor gasses.

A device for disinfecting liquids or gasses is shown, comprising atleast one optical fiber (56) located within a conduit (58) or a chamberand a radiation unit having a high intensity source (33) of lightcontrolled by a computer (36). The light is coupled (57) into the fiber,wherein the fiber is distributed within the conduit or chamber forilluminating or irradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gassestherein. FIG. 4 illustrates an integrated filter wherein the device ofthe present invention is illustrated as a plurality of side emittingoptical fibers, and/or end glowing fibers and/or PM (polarizationmaintaining) optical fibers as well as fractured fibers, and/orsolarization resistant fibers (56) for guiding light of a wave length offrom about 187 nm to about 400 nm (55), or from about 249 nm to about279 nm (40), or from about 149 nm to about 290 nm (42), or from about250 nm to 700 nm (43), or from about 180 nm to about 400 nm (46), orfrom about 400 nm to about 700 nm (47), or from 180 nm to about 2400 nm.The fibers are distributed within the conduit or chamber so that thefibers are distributed within or around a plurality of transparent lightconducting or diffusing surface disks (45)(39)(44) designed to filterout particulate materials (38) in the liquids or gasses disinfected path(51). The filter is shown together with a recycling path marked with “R”(49 R) for the liquids or gasses to pass through. A pre-illuminationfiltering module (36) and a post-illumination filtering module (52) areincluded for getting an adequate level of particle size distribution(PSD) where the fibers are distributed within the conduit or chamber,for illuminating or irradiating the liquids or gasses and/or receivinglight for remote feedback control of primary and/or secondarywavelengths or frequencies of light. The device of the invention allowsfor maximizing fiber transmission efficiencies and/or damage thresholdsor physical or optical tolerances (by e.g. using IR 1064 nm as primarylight to be coupled to the fiber and/or converted up or down, and/orfrequency doubled). The invention uses either direct (e.g. end-to-end)fiber transmission, and/or 2^(nd), and/or 3^(rd), and/or 4^(th) harmonicgeneration obtained by nonlinear crystals or other means for harmonicgeneration between the radiation unit and the fibers receptive 1^(st)end termination, or between the radiation unit and the projectivecrystal or isolating lens (54, 56) at the 2^(nd) end termination of thefiber.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a device for disinfecting liquidsor gasses.

A device for disinfecting liquids or gasses is shown, comprising atleast one side emitting optical fiber (62) located within a conduit (67)or a chamber and a radiation unit (60) having a high intensity source ofprimary light frequencies wherein the light is powered by batteries(59). The light is coupled to the fibers, wherein the fibers aredistributed and interfaced with, or having integral or intermatedcrystals as reflective end cups (68) for directly projecting, and/or forobtaining 2^(nd), and/or 3^(rd), and/or 4^(th) harmonically generatedfrequencies of light within the conduit (64) or chamber for illuminatingor irradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gasses therein. Aspare head (65) is shown at the bottom of the figure to indicate that itcan be replaced (e.g. together with crystal) for continuous use bydismantling or disconnecting (69) the device.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a device for disinfecting liquidsor gasses.

A device for disinfecting liquids or gasses is shown comprising at leastone region of constructive interference (70) generated from aholographic element (80) which is attached to the frame (enclosure) of aconduit (85) or a chamber, for eliminating head loss within the conduitor chamber which is positioned opposite a reflective member (at the topleft comer) (79), bottom left comer (72) top left (82), bottom right(74), top (89), top (82). A solid particle (77) is illustrated to showits important attribution to light transmission within the liquids orgasses to be disinfected. The radiation unit has a high intensity source(81) of (coherent) light of a wave length of from about 200 nm to about700 nm. The radiation unit is powered by an electrical power supply unit(90). The coherent light from the radiation unit is coupled (87) to atleast one (side emitting) optical fiber (shown at left top comer) (71),bottom right comer (88) surrounding the body of the conduit (85) orchamber. Element (75) represents a secured opening on the far right handside (a secured lid or cover). FIG. 6 illustrates a conduit or a chamberwherein (a hologram is formed) out of at least one region ofconstructive interference created by light beams (of axis or referencebeams) (91). FIG. 6 illustrates coherent light from the radiation unit(81) is coupled to a multi tail harness (87). The light gets carried bythe fiber (71) to a reflectance member (79) and gets projected throughthe holographic element (80) positioned directly in front of thereflective member. At least one side emitting optical fiber isdistributed within the conduit or chamber for illuminating (91) (86) orirradiating a predetermined volume of liquids or gasses therein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of the device for disinfectingliquids and gasses. A device for disinfecting liquids and gasses isshown, comprising at least one optical fiber (93) distributed in theregion (18) to be disinfected; The radiation unit (92) has a highintensity source of primary light of a wave length of from about 218 nmto about 1064 nm to be coupled to the fibers. The liquids or gasses areradiated by the optical fiber over a predetermined period of time.Element (94) represents a multi-fiber assembly splitting the single beamto 10 individual split independent feeds (107, to 116) therebybroadening the range of disinfecting reactor geometry which can be usedby producers and/or end users who currently do not have efficient meansto split optical radiation for the purpose of disinfecting liquids andgasses. The present invention is not so limited and can be used forsplitting and transmitting and radiating and/or delivering or diffusing,or projecting light from the fibers. Unlike previous methods which bringthe water (e.g. liquids and/or gasses) to the light, the presentinvention brings the light to the liquids and gasses. Each feed extendsto the ring through fibers for delivering a primary wavelength (e.g.1064 nm in the IR region and/or 266 nm in the UVB region), via a semiholographic (100), (118), diffusive, partially dielectric ring supportmeans (95), from the radiation unit to 10 of the ring's inputs, and/oroutputs (107-116) e.g. in and/or out of the conduit or chamber, whichfor the purpose of the present invention could be transparent, ortranslucent, or semi opaque. The conduit or chamber may have diffusiveproperties suitable for diffusing optical radiation and/or an adequaterefractive index profile for conducting light through (e.g.simultaneously guiding light by total internal reflection and theliquids and gasses hydraulically by pressure). For the purpose ofdisinfecting, light is projected from outside the transparent conduit orchamber where the fibers are distributed. The fibers are used inbi-directional transfer mode wherein each (108), (109), (110), (111),(112), (113), (114), (115), (116), of the individual fiber bundlesextends substantially to a predetermined distance from the radiationunit and terminating, and/or inter-mating to at least one thermallyisolated and/or stabilized modular harmonizing crystal interface (suchas KTP and/or PPKTP and/or LBO crystals, or equivalent electro-opticalconversion means for generating 2^(nd), and/or 3^(rd), and/or 4^(th),and/or 5^(th) harmonics). A plurality of non linear crystals areselected and sequentially positioned (108-116) e.g. inside a plurality(not shown) of wavelength specific crystal equipped cartridges (101)wherein the cartridges containing the crystals are thermally isolated(C). Temperature stabilization sensing means (A) and an additionaloptical fiber (B) are interconnected to the same network extension feedor multi tail fiber assembly for carrying signals to a controller (96),(94), such as multi-tail fiber harnesses. The crystals, indicated at (D)and (E), are secured at a predetermined angle or phase and at apredetermined distance from the sensing means (A). The ring'sinput/outputs are set to receive primary optical radiation from theradiation unit wherein the fibers are aligned to the radiation unit. Theoptical fibers are interfaced, or inter-mated or integrated (102),(103), (104), (105), (106), to additional fiber inputs leading toadditional cartridges (not shown) wherein the optical radiation isdelivered unchanged (e.g. without wavelength change) for direct spectraltransmission from the radiation unit. So, the same ring support meansdelivers optical radiation to the liquids or gasses flowing throughoutits optically covered (100), (118) inner dimension. A plurality ofwavelengths (e.g. both direct or harmonically generated or frequencydoubled such as SHG, THG, FHG) are delivered by the fibers for radiatinga predetermined volume of the liquids and gasses with the light from thefibers. Element (107) is polymethyl(phenyl)siloxan based transparentdiffusive tips grouped together (107 B) in a shape of a brush andextending substantially into the liquids and gasses to be disinfected.The brush is optically interfaced to a diode type laser (or a bar ofdiodes) positioned sequentially, substituting fiber input (107) (shownin bold) and excepting its primary pumping wavelengths of from about 400nm to about 670 nm from the radiation unit (92) via the optical fiberfeeds extending from fiber assembly (94) to the diode laser. Element (A)represents a shorter segment of fiber which feeds radiation to thesiloxan based brush tips. Adequate contact and/or exposure to theliquids and gasses passing through the ring is maximized. The diffusivetips further reduce headloss and help maximizing effective inactivationof noxious microorganism or noxious bacteria and/or microorganism in theliquids and gasses to be disinfected. Element (116 A) is illustrating atemperature isolation and stabilization sensing means, connected through(B) to the radiation unit (94). An optical junction is shown at (C)interconnecting and encapsulating both the main multi-tail optical cableassembly (93) and the sensor connecting fiber (B) together for easyintegration to a wide variety of environments or site topographies.Element (117) is an empty fiber insert point for carrying opticalradiation via the optical fibers to a remote control and dataacquisition unit (not shown) for feedback control of relevant parametersof the system. Element (117 A) shown as a doted line denotes the pathalong which the additional fiber needs to be connected to the fiberinsert (fiber not shown). Element (110) is a crystal cartridge havingtwo individual crystals (B), (A), (the crystals are aligned andphase—matched to the fiber's 2^(nd) end termination (not shown) and arethermally stabilized and or isolated.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of the device for disinfectingliquids or gasses. A device for disinfecting liquids and gasses isshown, comprising at least one optical fiber (120), (124), (125), (126),(127), (128), (129), (130), (142), (143), (144), (171), (172), (173),(174), or a bundle of fibers (122), (121) distributed in the region tobe disinfected (158), (156), (155), (157). At least one radiation sourcehaving a high intensity source of light (119), is coupled to the fibers(alignment not shown). The liquids and gasses are radiated by the fibersover a predetermined period of time. Elements (131 to 137) representfiber inputs each having means for transmitting identical or downconverted optical radiation at predetermined wavelength and frequency.Elements (139), and (153) illustrate pins allowing the entire frame toadjust to a wide variety of geometry. Elements (159 to 165) representelastic or durable lenses each having a predetermined divergence so asto collectively fill in the inner space of the frame (154). Additionaltransparent elastomer based lenses (such as polydimethylmethilsiloxan)are illustrated at (145), (166), (167), (168) each having a differentdivergence or focus for the purpose of radiating a predetermined volumeof the liquids and gasses through the frame. Fiber inputs (151), (152),(150), (149), (153), deliver optical radiation of a wavelength of fromabout 180 nm to about 2600 nm wherein the primary wavelength from theradiation unit is converted at least once into SHG, and/or THG, and/orFHG, and/or any spectral combination thereof by e.g. 2^(nd), 3^(rd),4^(th), harmonic generation using thermally isolated or stabilizedcrystal cartridges (not shown). Element (138) illustrates additionalswiveling frame support means. Element (146), (147), (148) illustrateindividual fiber feeds (142-144) extending from the fiber assembly(140), wherein the primary wavelength of a wavelength of from about 140nm to about 2600 nm is delivered and/or converted and/or diffused intothe liquids and gasses through the frame.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of the device for disinfectingliquids or gasses. A device for disinfecting liquids or gasses is showncomprising at least one optical fiber (181), (179), (176), (177 a, b, c,d, e,), (178 a, b, c, d,) distributed in the region to be disinfected.At least one radiation unit having a high intensity source of light(175) is coupled to the fibers. The liquids and gasses are radiated bythe optical fibers over a predetermined period of time. A semiholographic, partially dielectric, thermally isolated or stabilized ring(182) is coupled (e.g. by quick coupling) to form a continuing conduit(the conduit could be transparent, or opaque, or translucent, or have apredetermined refractive index profile for guiding light in accordancewith conditions for total internal reflection) at each side. Elements(183) and (183 a, b, c) illustrate sequentially positioned fiber inputs(a, b, c) wherein (183 d) is positioned at the other side of the ringfor alternating delivery of optical radiation of a specific spectraldistribution between cross sectional radiation from the ring (182), andthe longitudinal projection (183 a, b, c,) of the fiber inputs (183 a,b, c, d). Parameters associated with the liquids or gasses to bedisinfected (such as turbidity, or transparency or levels of suspendedsolids in water or air) provide thresholds for feedback control and/ortriggering of the radiation unit and/or control unit (not shown).

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic view of the network for disinfectingliquids or gasses. A network for disinfecting liquids and gasses isshown comprising at least one optical fiber (185), (187), (191), (193),(201) distributed in the region containing the liquids and gasses to bedisinfected. At least one radiation unit having a high intensity sourceof light (186) is coupled to the fibers. The liquids and gasses areradiated by the optical fiber over a predetermined period of time. Aninteractive optical infrastructure network for disinfecting the liquidsand gasses comprises, in the region of the liquids and gasses to bedisinfected, at least one optical fiber (196), 191) having a receptive1^(st) end termination, and a 2^(nd) end extending substantially intothe conduit or chamber, and inter-mated on entry at a predeterminedangle, to a at least one modular 2nd, and/or 3^(rd), and/or 4^(th),harmonic generation crystal module interface (197), (198), (199), (189).The crystal is terminated with an isolating transparent lens (not shown)or diffusing tips (not shown) facing the liquids and gasses to bedisinfected. At least one radiation unit (186), having a high intensitysource of light is coupled to the fibers. Via receptive vacuum, orthermally protective interface (188), the fibers 1st end termination(not shown) receives high intensity light having a primary wavelength inthe Visible, and/or NIR, and/or IR, and/or UV (UVA, UVB, UVC) regions ofthe spectrum.The light Illuminates or irradiates (199, 198, 197,) apredetermined volume of the liquids and gasses wherein the deliveredlight has identical, or secondary, or tertiary wavelength ranges in theUVA, and/or UVB, and/or UVC, and or Visible, and/or IR regions of theelectromagnetic spectrum, or any harmonically generated, or convertedspectral combination thereof. Element (204) illustrate infrastructuresupport means (204) for distributive the fibers substantially to cover alarge area (unlike previous methods and means) using a single lightsource. Elements (203), (200), (195), (194), (192), represent end userpoints of use (such as a tap, or a network of pipe extensions). Element(190) illustrates a central pump (with an arrow facing the pump forclear indication of the liquid and gas direction of flow) fordistributing the liquids and gasses throughout the house or building(205). The liquids/gasses arrive from a lower main liquid and gas supplyline (marked with two arrows pointing left). Rooms in a house ondifferent floors are illustrated to further show splitting and delivery(for covering large areas) or diffusion of light by the optical fibernetwork extending for substantial distance. A solar panel is illustratedat (207) to be placed on the roof of the building or house for poweringthe radiation unit (185).

FIG. 11 illustrates a device for disinfecting liquids and gasses. Adevice for disinfecting liquids and gasses in wells and drilling sitescomprises at least one optical fiber (215), (221), (216), (214)distributed in the region containing the liquids or gasses to bedisinfected. At least one radiation unit (210) having a high intensitysource of light is coupled to the fibers. The liquids or gasses areradiated by the optical fibers over a predetermined period of time. FIG.11 illustrates the ability of the device of the present invention todisinfect liquids or gasses (e.g. found in petroleum and/or fresh waterdrilling sites and wells, both, under the sea and under ground) wheredrilling installation requires a solution to clogging (clogging of waterfilters for cooling systems to the drilling heads and/or ground waterwhich is contaminated). The present invention, by delivering radiationusing optical fibers, can provide an easy solution to the cloggingproblem thereby enhancing productivity and saving time and expenditurecaused by maintenance and/or expensive periodical replacementprocedures.

FIG. 12 illustrates a device for disinfecting liquids or gasses. Adevice for disinfecting liquids or gasses comprises at least one opticalfiber (223), (223 a), (224) distributed in the region containing theliquids or gasses to be disinfected. At least one radiation source(222), having a high intensity source of light is coupled to the fibers.The liquids or gasses are radiated by the optical fibers over apredetermined period of time. Elements (225), (226), (228), (227),represent a crystal arrangement (e.g. a cartridge) through which aprimary wavelength from the radiation source of from about 160 nm toabout 2600 nm is transmitted, and/or delivered without changes, and/orharmonically generated or frequency doubled, and/or up or down convertedaccording to species specific disinfecting calibration standards. Atransparent elastomeric lens (230) isolates the liquids or gasses fromthe inner surface of the crystals. The crystals are thermally isolatedand/or stabilized (not shown) in a cartridge. The crystals are arrangedin a semi holographic, dielectric ring (230), wherein the fibers reachand are inserted into the ring (one fiber is shown to reach the ring)(223) for delivering optical radiation of a predetermined spectraldistribution. Element (233) illustrates the divergence effect of theisolating lens wherein the beams coming out of the lens (e.g. afterpassing through the crystal) is identical to the primary wavelength andfrequency of light from the radiation unit (222). Alternatively, thelight from the radiation unit could be converted into SHG, THG, FHG(e.g. by 2^(nd), and/or 3^(rd), and/or 4^(th) harmonic generation and/orfrequency doubling) for converting the primary wavelength from about1064 nm to about 532 nm, or from 532mn to about 266 nm (depending on theselected crystals in the cartridge (not shown). Light is projected witha predetermined divergence (231) for filling the inner space of thering. An electric pulsed DC/AC input to the partially dielectric ring,shown at (233), lowers the impact of colloidal deposits and/or hardwater deposits by contradicting the polarity and/or magnetic field ofsuspended organic solids in the liquids or gasses to be disinfected.

FIG. 13 illustrates a device for disinfecting liquids or gasses. Adevice for disinfecting liquids or gasses comprises at least one opticalfiber (not shown) distributed in the region containing the liquids orgasses to be disinfected, one optical fiber input is illustrated at(234). At least one radiation unit (not shown) having a high intensitysource of light is coupled to the fibers. The liquids or gasses areradiated by the optical fibers over a predetermined period of time. Thecrystals (a), (b), (c), (d) are arranged in a thermally stabilized orisolated cartridge (not shown). The crystals receive optical radiationfrom the radiation unit at a primary wavelength from about 200 nm toabout 2400 nm wherein the crystals (such as KTP and/or PPKTP type orequivalent) convert the primary wavelength to a lower wavelength (suchas a 532 nm and/or 266 nm) in the Visible and/or UVA, UVB, UVC regionsof the spectrum. A transparent lens, illustrated at (236), isolates theliquids or gasses to be disinfected from the crystal cartridge. The ringis also thermally stabilized or isolated for maintaining and/ormaximizing the conversion efficiency of the crystals.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES

The experiment was held at the department of Physical Chemistrylaboratories at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Sigma ChemicalsIsrael Company have supplied 20 liter of the E-Coli fermented culture.Biological solutions and patric dishes were prepared.

Each stage of the experiment included two separate modes ofElectro-magnetic radiation:

a. Pulse laser at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. Wavelength rated 93% at266 nm and 7% at 532 nm.

b. Polychromatic continuous wave UV lamp with a broad bend (100 nm)centered at 300 nm.

Equipment

Laser setup includes a Nd/yag laser made by Spectra Physics and of aQuanta ray model Nd/yag DCR with Spectra A-702 2nd and 4th harmonicgeneration modules, which are computer controlled. The wavelength of thelaser radiation as measured is 266 nm (93% at 266 nm, 7% at 532 nm). Thepulse duration is 10 ns. The pulse power as measured is (Fiber deliveryruns) 4 mJ per pulse at the end of the fiber. In direct irradiation(without the optical fiber) the pulse power is measured at 70 mJ (beforeentering the liquid).

Optical Signal Path

(a) Laser head, (b) 1^(st) steering mirror, (c) 2nd steering mirror, (d)3rd steering mirror, (e) 1st focusing lens such as Oriel FO-315, (f) 2ndcollimating lens such as Oriel CO-318, (g) Directive prism (90 degreesat 80% efficiency) (e) fiber.

Measuring Devices

“Offir Optronics” power meter, Scientec model 364—laser power meter (1mj-2 joule)

The fiber types used throughout the experiment:

HGFS (high-grade fused silica) optical fiber bundle (manufactured byOriel), Bi-furcated of 10 mm in total physical diameter for each arm,(2.5-3 mm NOD) HGFS total Bi-furcated bundle of 1 meter in length,bundle having a PVC/polyamide type sheathing which is opaque andcomprises metallic reinforcing member.

A SiO2 (Homogenize Glass) fiber bundle, Atlantium type, at 8 mm indiameter comprises 5000 individual 50-micron fiber strands. Flattransmission at UVA spectrum. Total length of the bundle 3-Meter(originally a loop of 1.5 Meter out, 1.5 Meter in) fiber N/As is lessthan 0.7, nominal. No sheathing.

The components in the biological set up are:

Stainless steel sealed container, Ø170 mm, pierced with two fibersbundles for irradiation protection. SiO2 (crown glass) 1 liter Ø100 mm(large diameter dish), Magnetic stirrer base, Wild type of E.coli K12strain 20 liter (for adequate sampling), Patric dishes with Seline(biological solution) for seeding.

The Experiment Setup

The laser head was positioned 5 meters from irradiation target (wildtype of E.coli in 1 liter of water). The lenses to steer and direct thelaser pulsed beam across the room were located above a tabletop surface.Mounting devices were used for holding a prism to direct the light beamdown at a 90-degree angle.

The fiber bundles were aligned to the laser and connected in front ofthe prism preceding dual lens configuration for minimizing losses.

Surface losses in the optical chain: 1^(st), 2^(nd), 3^(rd) steeringmirrors; 1^(st), 2^(nd) focusing lenses; prism surfaces loss; Eachpulsing surface loses approx. 4% of total optical power output availableat the next surface A total surface loss is of approx. 27% at output.Radiation through a distance of 6 meters of air should be accounted foradditional 3% loss.

Polychromatic lamp setup—Oriel UV Xenon lamp XU-450 rated Power 450 W,equipped filters, lenses, attachments. 50 mW CW is measured at each endof HGFS bi-furcated fiber bundle. Attached filters were used forseparating deep UV radiation at output. The lenses used were Collimatorlenses, Paralleling beam lenses with spectral range 60% of irradiationat UV-VIS, enhanced at between 220 nm through to 325 nm respectively, afilter 7-54 centered at 300 nm.

Experiment Description

The Laser phase of the experiment included three modes of irradiation:

a) LD (large dish)/Loop (where both side of the loop are connected intoone end termination)—Irradiation/radiation SiO2 side emitting fiberbundle s (5000 50 micron fibers) are aligned into the laser beamsheathing of one meter of the bundle was stripped off and distributed inthe experiment dish. The dish was exposed to external light during theirradiation.

b) LD/O.F—Irradiation/radiation into HGFS, end-glowing, bi-furcatedfiber bundle of 1 meter long aligned in to the laser beam. Theend-glowing terminals were inserted through angle-adjustable holes inthe stainless steel container cover. The container was sealed during theration.

c) LD/Direct—the UV was irradiated/radiated directly (not through theoptical fibers) into the dish via the prism.

The UV CW lamp phase—a Xenon lamp 450-Watt nominal UV—the irradiationwas channeled into a HGFS, end-glowing, bi-furcated fiber bundle 1 meterlong aligned into the laser beam. The end-glowing terminals wereinserted through angle-adjustable holes in the stainless steel containercover. The container was sealed during the irradiation.

In both phases—exposure time was 600 sec (10 minutes) wherein periodicalsamples were extracted using pipette driven disposable tips. A solutionwas prepared for counting the culture during the next 24 hours.

Summary—POC results (e.g. proof of concept experiment results)

Counting of developed cultures of E.coli, wld type, 24 hours later. Theresults were summarized in the following table:

EXPOSURE PULSE LASER IRRADIATION LAMP DURATION LD/Loop (a) LD/O.F (b)LD/Direct (c) LD/O.F  2 Seconds 0 0 12 38 10 Seconds 0 0 2 14 30 Seconds0 0 1 23 60 Seconds 0 0 0 7 180 Seconds  0 0 0 300 Seconds  0 0 0 400Seconds  7 600 Seconds  0 0 0 4 REFERENCE 49 42 47 45 (24 hours - noirradiation)

The results as shown in the table indicate that very fast disinfection(less than 2 seconds) was achieved by using the side emitting fiber(mode a) and end-glowing fiber (mode b) while directirradiation/radiation (mode c) showed total disinfection only after 1minute. Reference results using UV lamp through fiber appeared to showmuch slower disinfection (total disinfection was not achieved). The UVlamp results correspond to the known characteristics in the existingliterature.

Contrary to the existing technology, frequently backed by researchers inthe relevant environmental fields and contrary to the existingknowledge, which is available in the public domain, it is not the sheernumber of photons absorbed into the links of DNA and RNA which effectsand deactivates replication sequences. Disinfection can be achieved byusing a short but high-energy pulse with 4 times less photons than thequantity present in light provided by a medium power continuous lamp(e.g. the CW type UV lamp used in the experiments).

Appropriate statistical sampling and counting were done. No exemptionswere observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for remotely disinfecting liquids orgasses, comprising the steps of: distributing at least one optical fiberin a region where the liquids or gasses to be disinfected are presented;aligning a high intensity light source with said optical fiber; andradiating said liquid or gasses with light generated by said lightsource and transmitted by said optical fiber over a predetermined periodof time; wherein said light is a laser which is converted from a primaryradiation having a primary frequency into a secondary radiation having asecondary frequency different from the primary frequency, so that thesecondary radiation is emitted from said optical fiber for radiatingsaid liquid or gasses.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein theconversion of the primary frequency into the secondary frequency isharmonically generated.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidregion is an interior of a chamber containing the liquids or gasses tobe disinfected, and said distributing comprises integrating said opticalfiber into at least a wall of the chamber.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said optical fiber comprises at least one side emittingoptical fiber distributed in the region where the liquid or gasses to bedisinfected are presented.
 5. The method according to claim 1, whereinsaid optical fiber comprises at least one end glowing optical fiberdistributed in the region where the liquid or gasses to be disinfectedare presented.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingobtaining spectroscopic data in the disinfected region, andtransferring, in real time, said spectroscopic data from the disinfectedregion to a remote location for feedback control of the disinfectingprocess.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said light sourcecomprises a single wavelength monochromatic high intensity source oflight.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said light sourcecomprises a polychromatic high intensity source of light having awavelength of from about 249 nm to about 2400 nm.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a pulsed highintensity source of light.
 10. The method according to claim 9, whereinsaid at least one optical fiber includes at least one of single mode,multi mode, graded index, gradient index, and polarization maintainingfibers or bundles of fibers.
 11. The method according to claim 1,wherein said light source comprises a continuous high intensity sourceof light.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said light sourcecomprises a high intensity source of ultra violet light having awavelength of from about 187 nm to about 400 nm.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a highintensity source of visible light having a wavelength of from about 400nm to about 700 nm.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidlight source comprises a high intensity source of IR light having awavelength of from about 800 nm to about 2400 nm.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the secondary radiation emitted from saidoptical fiber is in the visible region of the spectrum which is suitablefor disturbing the breeding cycle of cockroaches.
 16. A device fordisinfecting liquids or gasses, comprising: a chamber containing theliquids or gasses to be disinfected; a laser for generating highintensity light; at least one optical fiber coupled to said laser forreceiving said light therein, and arranged to deliver said light to atleast one of an interior of said chamber, a wall of said chamber, and anexterior in the vicinity of said chamber for radiating the liquids orgases contained in said chamber with said light; and at least onecrystal interface is attached or integrated to said at least one opticalfiber for harmonically converting a first wavelength of incoming saidlight to a second wavelength of outgoing said light, said secondwavelength being shorter than said first wavelength.
 17. The deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein the laser is a polychromatic ormonochromatic source of light having wavelength of from 220 nm to about2400 nm.
 18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the laser is apolychromatic microwave excitation lamp.
 19. The device according toclaim 17, wherein the optical fiber is an end glowing fiber, and theoptical fiber is dimensionally arranged for producing at least oneregion of constructive interference in the chamber.
 20. The deviceaccording to claim 17, further comprising a holographic optical elementfor producing at least one region of constructive interference in thechamber.
 21. The device according to claim 17, wherein the chamber has afiltration unit having at least one of porous screen, membrane, surfacedisk, capillaries, magnetic elements and compounds for removal ofparticulate materials from said liquids or gasses, and the optical fiberis integrated into the filtration unit.
 22. The device according toclaim 17, wherein the chamber is an algae reactor or a biologicalreactor having industrial photosynthesis capability.
 23. The deviceaccording to claim 17, wherein the chamber is a medical dialysisapparatus.
 24. The device according to claim 16, wherein the laser isselected from the group consisting of flash lamp, fiber laser, solidstate laser, gas laser, and crystal laser.
 25. The device according toclaim 16, wherein said optical fiber is coupled to the laser via avacuum flange or a collimating optical interface which allows deliveryof optical energy of said light within a specific spectral distributionand a damage threshold of said optical fiber.
 26. The device accordingto claim 16, further comprising a transparent or opaque sleeve enclosingsaid optical fiber.
 27. The device according to claim 26, wherein thesleeve is formed integrated with said optical fiber.
 28. The deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein said optical fiber is geometricallydistributed in the chamber for producing at least one region ofconstructive interference therein.
 29. The device according to claim 16,wherein said optical fiber comprises side emitting fibers, distributedgeometrically in a spiral or zigzag pattern.
 30. The device according toclaim 16, wherein the optical fiber is at least partially folded back toform at least one section of parallel fiber paths.
 31. The deviceaccording to claim 28, wherein said at least one constructiveinterference causes an ultra violet hologram to be formed in an entireinner space of the chamber.
 32. The device according to claim 16,further comprising a reflective end cup affixed to a terminal end of theoptical fiber for producing at least one region of constructiveinterference in the chamber.
 33. The device according to claim 16,further comprising a reflective member disposed parallel to at least oneradiating section of said distributed optical fiber from which saidlight escapes to radiate said liquids or gasses.
 34. The deviceaccording to claim 33, wherein the optical fiber is a side emittingfiber and the reflective member is an integral part of the side emittingfiber.
 35. The device according to claim 16, wherein said optical fibercomprises at least one side emitting optical fiber.
 36. The deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein said optical fiber comprises at least oneend glowing optical fiber.
 37. The device according to claim 16, furthercomprising a supporting member for supporting said optical fiber withinthe chamber.
 38. The device according to claim 16, wherein the chamberis a sewage pipe.
 39. The device according to claim 16, wherein thechamber is selected from the group consisting of an aeration volume ofloosely packed soil, a cabinet, a closet, the space below a raisedfloor, the space above a lowered ceiling, the space in a hollow wall, anattic, a crawl space, the space between stored articles, the spacebetween infrastructure support connections, a water carrying pipe, ashoe, a modular attachment of a vacuum cleaner, a space in the head of atooth brush, a space in the head of a brush, a space in a headphone'shousing, a window frame, a water pond, a fridge, and a door frame. 40.The device according to claim 16, further comprising a computer systemfor controlling the output of the laser.
 41. The device according toclaim 16, further comprising at least an optical link for transferringreal time spectroscopic data from the disinfected chamber to a computersystem.
 42. The device according to claim 16, wherein the crystalinterface is a non linear crystal capable of generating at least one of2nd, 3rd, and 4th harmonies of a primary frequency of said lightgenerated by the laser.
 43. The device according to claim 16, whereinthe light generated by the laser is in the IR region of the spectrum,and said at least one crystal interface is configured to convert IRradiation into at least one of visible and UV radiation.
 44. The deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein said at least one optical fiber isconnected to at least two elastic diffusive tips, and said tips aregrouped together to form a brush substantially extending into theliquids or gases to be disinfected.
 45. The device according to claim16, wherein walls of the chamber are transparent to said light whichradiates the liquids or gases contained in the chamber from outside. 46.A method of installing interactive optical infrastructure and using thesame for disinfecting liquids or gases, said method comprising the stepsof: distributing, in a conduit or a chamber containing the liquids orgasses to be disinfected, at least one optical fiber having a receptivefirst end termination, and a second end extending into the conduit orchamber, said second end being inter-mated at a predetermined angle toat least one modular 2nd, and/or 3rd, and/or 4th harmonic generationcrystal module interface, wherein the crystal module interface isterminated with an isolating transparent lens facing the liquids orgasses to be disinfected; aligning at least one high intensity lightsource with said optical fiber; coupling, either directly or through areceptive vacuum interface, high intensity light generated by said lightsource into said first end termination of said optical fiber, said highintensity light having a primary wavelength in at least one of thevisible, NIR, IR and UV regions of the electromagnetic spectrum;illuminating or irradiating the liquids or gasses over a predeterminedperiod of time with said high intensity light after said light has beenharmonically generated, or converted to have a secondary wavelength inat least one of the UVA, UVB, UVC, visible, and IR regions of theelectromagnetic spectrum.
 47. A device for disinfecting liquids orgasses, comprising: a chamber containing the liquids or gasses to bedisinfected; at least one of a solar collector and a concentratorharnessing global solar radiation for producing polychromatic ormonochromatic light having a wavelength of from 220 nm to about 2400 nm;at least one optical fiber coupled to said laser for receiving saidlight therein, and arranged to deliver said light to at least one of aninterior of said chamber, a wall of said chamber, and an exterior in thevicinity of said chamber for radiating the liquids or gases contained insaid chamber with said light; and at least one crystal interface isattached or integrated to said at least one optical fiber as an endtermination thereof, for harmonically converting a first wavelength ofincoming said light to a second wavelength of outgoing said light, saidsecond wavelength being shorter than said first wavelength.